I do not believe there is anything that can be done to "make up" for the abomination that was slavery and subsequent Black Codes and Jim Crow laws.

As a result, black people as a whole are and have been inherently at a huge disadvantage in so far as wealth and property to pass on, therefore not having the ability to give the next generation an advantage; educationally; economically; politically...and so on. The ripples are endless. Please excuse my less than articulate writing, it is late and I have been reading the MB thread, crying, raging and am left with a huge headache, heavy heart, fear for my children, other children of color, our nation and it's future.

This country was built upon the backs, sweat, tears and lives of African slaves and Native Americans. My debate is partial reparations for descendants of slaves and/ or of those subject to Black Codes/Jim Crow. Though not the focal point for this debate, I would be remiss if I did not include that Native Americans should also be given these reparations (less Casinos, as they already have that option at least to a limited extent).

Again, by no means am I stating this is all that should or could be done as far as reparations - it is just one that I am passionate about.

Education:
Free tuition and all necessary supplies (laptop, free internet access, calculators, textbooks, etc.), meals on campus, at State University. Additionally, if they have been educationally deprived (and many students coming from impoverished backgrounds do not get adequate education through no fault of their own, but the school system and problems related to it/poverty) specialized tutors who will help the student be successful. Through to degree. For the next 400 years.

Casinos:
(Does not apply to Native Americans)
Impoverished, majority black communities shall be able to have casinos as an option for economic growth, similar of course to the casinos Native Americans operate. Forever.

Debate whether or not these are valid ideas for partial reparations.
ETA: typo

I would be interested in scholarship and aid expansion, but not a blanket free tuition including meals to all.

I am undecided on casinos. We have one run by the local tribe and for all the jobs it brings, it as mostly at the expense of the poor and addicted of our community. You walk in and are hit with a sad pathetic feeling that is unshakeable.

I do believe some type of reparations are due, but it is not my place to say what. That is a conversation for the Black Community to have because there are many different viewpoints on what reparations would look like in within the community.

As to the question, I have no problem with a free education.

Casinos- eh, the new Casinos in Ohio are not living up to expectations monetarily. The casino market may be getting over saturated and I don't know that that is the best long term solution to generational poverty.

I'd love to see reparations happen. I think it would best be distributed through a range of choices...

College loan forgiveness
Small business loans
Housing down payments
Cash payout
Retirement contributions
Land grants

I've thought about this list before and I know I'm forgetting something.

In addition, there should be free tutoring services for K - college for underserved communities. Free community services would be nice too. And old folks should be able to get a boost to their SS or a non-taxable lump sum in addition to their distribution choice. (And yes, I totally just C&P'd my response from the last thread)

Casinos, not so much. Are there any tribes with casinos who have overcome generational poverty and its effects by owning an operating a casino in their communities? I'd be interested in the numbers concerning whether or not the rates of gambling addiction have risen in those communities.

I would like to see companies that directly benefited from slavery pay for...

Posted
08/30/2014

I would like to see companies that directly benefited from slavery pay for it.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/02/21/slave-reparations.htm

Fascinating article. I agree with this; however, I am curious if the cost of the proposed plan in the OP would cost more than what these companies can feasibly provide.

I'm also curious about acceptance into college. Would students be offered free post-secondary education to any state college they've been accepted to, or would this be across the board (you are accepted, regardless of academic status) due to the obvious inequities in American public schools? Also, what about trade school educations? Do we include these, if a student so chooses? And, would there be a point at which this would end?

I agree with Dr.Girlfriend that this is a conversation for the Black Community, but being that this is a debate, I have so many questions about how this would actually be put in place.

I'd love to see reparations happen. I think it would best be distributed...

Posted
08/30/2014

I'd love to see reparations happen. I think it would best be distributed through a range of choices...

College loan forgiveness
Small business loans
Housing down payments
Cash payout
Retirement contributions
Land grants

I've thought about this list before and I know I'm forgetting something.

In addition, there should be free tutoring services for K - college for underserved communities. Free community services would be nice too. And old folks should be able to get a boost to their SS or a non-taxable lump sum in addition to their distribution choice. (And yes, I totally just C&P'd my response from the last thread)

Casinos, not so much. Are there any tribes with casinos who have overcome generational poverty and its effects by owning an operating a casino in their communities? I'd be interested in the numbers concerning whether or not the rates of gambling addiction have risen in those communities.

I like your list.

I am with OP 100% on POC deserving repirations, and I'm not even sure what would be fitting and if it can ever be made up for (well, it just can't).

But I also feel like these repirations need to be reasonable ones, Something as extreme as free tuition (plus housing, books, computers, etc.) or casinos just won't ever fly.

But I feel like this needs to be said over and over and over, because some people aren't getting it:

"As a result, black people as a whole are and have been inherently at a huge disadvantage in so far as wealth and property to pass on, therefore not having the ability to give the next generation an advantage; educationally; economically; politically...and so on. The ripples are endless. Please excuse my less than articulate writing, it is late and I have been reading the MB thread, crying, raging and am left with a huge headache, heavy heart, fear for my children, other children of color, our nation and it's future."

If you are low income you receive grants. I know several of dd's friends are getting thousands a year, enough to pay for their tuition, food, books, etc. Are you saying anyone of color, wealthy or not, should receive free education, etc?